Today we head to Southwell with four runners.
First up is No No Tango in the Handicap Chase at 1.05pm. He is a new horse to me this season who Paul O’Brien knows well from riding him in some previous races. He was keen to go chasing and his schooling indicates he’s going to be a chaser, he’s a nice big horse. Obviously he’s had a long time off the course and I think he’ll improve for this run but he looks fantastic and I’m very happy with his condition going into this race.
Secondly is The Blueberry One in the Novices’ Handicap Hurdle at 1.40pm. He was a very immature horse last year. We thought about running him in bumpers but he was such a good jumper we decided novice hurdles would be a better education for him. I think he will be in need of more experience today but I’d like to think off his mark he’s capable of running a really nice race. Whether he’s streetwise enough to win or not I don’t know but he’s definitely fit enough too.
Next is Sergeant Fury in the Maiden Hurdle at 2.10pm. He ran okay in a bumper at Wincanton a couple of weeks ago but it’s difficult to know what the form of that race was worth. He’s schooling has been okay, a little bit novicey and a bit keen so he will need to settle today.
Our final runner of the day is No No Espresso in the Handicap Hurdle at 3.10pm. He ran okay in a novice hurdle at Stratford last month. I’m still getting to know him at the moment. I think he has got some ability in there but he just needs to learn to relax and if he can do that then hopefully he can run a nice race. I suspect he’ll end up wanting further but I daren’t do that yet until he settles.